Optimal operation of Changqing-Hohehot Crude Oil Pipeline

For the insulated Changqing-Hohehot Crude Oil Pipeline which will face the first winter after commissioning, no mature optimal operation experience is available for reference. Therefore, the factors affecting optimal operation are investigated, and then the oil temperature, ground temperature and physical properties along the pipeline are traced and analyzed. In this way, the operation scheme is optimized gradually to achieve safe transportation in an energy-saving and cost-reducing manner. Through optimization, the start-up operation is changed from all pump stations to only 3 pump stations, and 6 operating heaters originally are reduced to 4 heaters. Accordingly, the temperature drop along the pipeline is reduced substantially from the level in primary design and at the initial stage of commissioning, dosage of antifreezing agent is saved by 25%, and average total heat transfer coefficient in actual operation is lower than the value set in primary design. Therefore, it is recognized that wax precipitation along the pipeline is not obvious, unit energy consumption is low, and much energy is saved.